A blog by Peggy Bowes, author of The Rosary Workout and co-author of Tending the Temple.
I'm blogging to share my love for the Rosary and the Catholic Church along with my expertise in fitness, and healthy eating to help others care for both body and soul.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Happy New Year! I hope everyone is enjoying a very blessed Christmas season and New Year. I'm especially thankful because we have finally moved into our new house. I owe St. Joseph, the patron saint of our home, a big debt of gratitude for all the blessings he has brought us.

Honestly, I feel like I should have started a blog on painting a house because that's where all my writing time has gone the last six months. I have literally spent at least 2 hours most days since July painting and priming walls, trim, baseboard, doors, windowsills, etc.. You would not believe the amount of primer and paint that goes into a house!

I look at all that time spent painting as a blessing. First of all, I helped to contribute to cost savings in our new home. More importantly though, I discovered Ave Maria Radio. I needed something to listen to during those long hours painting and realized that my new Droid smartphone could also be used as a radio. At first, I listened to favorite songs from my teen years but quickly became tired of them. I thought it would be more beneficial to listen to something spiritually uplifting, so I searched for Catholic radio apps.

At random, I chose Ave Maria Radio and was quickly hooked. (If you have a smartphone, you can download the app. If not, you can also listen online at the link above.) Since I painted in the morning, I caught the tail end of the Son Rise Morning Show (7:00 - 8:00 am eastern) which has been a favorite of mine as my friend and co-author Matt Swaim is the producer. I've been a guest on the show several times, and I'll be promoting my new book, Tending the Temple this year on the show, along with my co-authors, Kevin Vost and Shane Kapler.

Next up is Teresa Tomeo's excellent program (8:00-10:00 am). She always has interesting guests and is passionately pro-life. Following Teresa is Food for the Journey and Fire on the Earth (10:00 -10:30), both solid programs. Christian Classics (10:30 - 10:45) can be dry at times but can also be quite good. Stay tuned though because Stories from the Heart (10:45-11:00) is ALWAYS wonderful. The host, Sandra McDevitt, finds the most wonderful stories and reads them aloud. I'm always spellbound by this program. I don't know where she finds these stories, but God bless for what she does.

The best program on Ave Maria Radio, hands down, is a show called Christ is the Answer (11:00-12:00), hosted by Fr. John Riccardo. If every parish had a priest like Fr. Riccardo, then Catholics would quickly be in the vast majority in this nation. He is in his mid-40's, works out every day and is one of the holiest and most inspiring priests I have ever heard. His unique brand of down-to-earth, optimistic, orthodox preaching makes me feel like Mary of Bethany, at the feet of Jesus, ignoring all the housework and listening with rapt attention to every word. If you can't catch his show, then download one of the many podcasts. I especially enjoyed the Theology of the Body series. (If you listen to this series, scroll to the bottom of the page to listen to the oldest podcasts first.) The Catholicism for Cradle Catholics series was also really, really good but honestly, anything he says is worth listening to.

6 comments:

My husband introduced me to Father Riccardo, and I was immediately hooked. He is very smart, but wont make you feel like a dummy. His parishioners are so blessed! You can also subscribe to him in iTunes, which is awesome. He has loads of talks he's given for RCIA, Catholicism 101, and his weekly homilies.

I also love the Faith and Family Live podcasts, as well as Catholic Moments. (all available on iTunes)

I'd love to hear your book recommendations, too. I'm looking to read or listen to more books this year.

Glad you're back in the blog business, Peggy. Occasionally I get to listen to Immaculate Heart Radio in San Francisco, and they carry some Ave Maria programs. As an aside, I just finished Ignatius Press's classic "The Song of the Scaffold", a 1931 novella by German writer Gertrude von Le Fort, about the true story of 16 Carmelite nuns who were executed in the French Revolution. If you haven't already read it, it is, as the writer of the preface states, "a vision of our own age".

Peggy, I'm not a Catholic – but I have great respect for the Catholic Church. I was Catholic growing up. And yes, if there were priests like the one on the radio – one with a real – personal – inspirational message – I might still be Catholic. But as is – I'm just a regular, first century type, Bible believing Christian. I think I'm going to like reading you – and I look forward to your book. God bless you and each and every one of yours Peggy.

Sorry to be so late in responding to comments. I always try to reply as I so appreciate it when readers take the time and effort to post feedback.

Diana, how wonderful that your husband listens to Fr. Riccardo. I keep trying to get my (non-Catholic) husband to listen because I know he will enjoy the talks. As far as book recommendations, I usually am an avid reader but haven't been reading much this year due to the House of Perpetual Construction. I did a post awhile back with some of my favorite Rosary books. Here's a link: http://rosaryinfo.blogspot.com/2010/04/another-great-rosary-saint-and-few.html I'll be sure to share any good books I come across in the future.

Anon, thanks for the recommendation of The Song of the Scaffold, but I might save that one to read after the elections this year...

Craig, welcome! I always welcome comments from non-Catholics. Since I have an ecumenical family, I am very respectful of other beliefs, and I appreciate your mutual respect. You might enjoy Fr. Riccardo's DVD called "Common Ground" where he speaks with a Protestant minister. Here's a sample on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WoAdlEsHcY

Anon 2, thanks for the tip on the icatholicradio app. I'll be sure to check it out.

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About Me

I am a devout Catholic who is very devoted to the Blessed Mother and her favorite prayer, the Rosary. I'm a US Air Force Academy graduate and former instructor pilot. After leaving the military to raise a family, I pursued my passion for fitness as a personal trainer, Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant and aerobics instructor.
I am also very active in parish life and have been a lector, CCD teacher, and Little Flowers Girls' Club leader. I enjoy triathlons, hiking, adventure races, and other sports as I incorporate all the benefits and blessings of my book, The Rosary Workout.